J-E-R-O-D equals N-O R-E-S-P-E-C-T

IRVING — Texas A&M quarterback Jerrod Johnson is a detail-oriented guy, but one escaped him this week at the Big 12 media days.

The misspelling of his first name on his Big 12 tag.

“I did not notice that,” Johnson (right) said, glancing down at the ID that dubbed him “Jerod” Johnson. Then he grinned wide, realizing the good folks at the Big 12 probably wouldn’t have misspelled “Colt” or “Sam” (or their last names, either).

“You can call me whatever you want,” Johnson said. “As long as A&M is winning.”

Right down to their nametags at the Big 12 media days, the Aggies were grouped in with the likes of Iowa State in the respect department. The media has picked A&M to finish last in the Big 12 South, behind Brazos River rival Baylor.

It’s not really much of a stretch at this point, considering that’s where the Aggies finished last year.

To a man, A&M’s representatives simply smiled at the preseason pecking order — knowing it’s up to them to show differently on the field.

“You see that guys are really underestimating you,” safety Trent Hunter said. “I’m excited to prove people wrong. We have the talent to do so.”

The Aggies report for practice on Aug. 9, and hit the fields on Aug. 10. They open their season at Kyle Field on Sept. 5 against New Mexico, and open Big 12 play at Kyle on Oct. 10 against Oklahoma State.

Between now and then, I wonder if Johnson will hang that nametag on his mirror?

Photo courtesy of Texas A&M sports news.

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Texas A&M baseball assistant coach Jeremy Talbot has left the program to spend more time with his family and get closer to home, he said. He’s from Louisiana. Talbot served as the Aggies’ hitting coach the past four seasons under coach Rob Childress.